Red light therapy explained at Savannah regenerative medicine clinic

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Dr. Allen Meglin, specialist and owner of the Advanced Regenerative Medicine Clinic in Savannah, discussed red light therapy offered at his practice.

Meglin said humans absorb and emit light through structures in the body called chromophores.

“We really do absorb light and we really do emit light,” Meglin said.

Meglin compared the concept to thermal imaging used in military equipment, which detects heat signatures as a form of electromagnetic radiation.

How the treatment works

Meglin said the medical-grade red light used at the clinic is tuned to target chromophores in the body, either at a deep or superficial level, or a combination of both.

“And so we can target the deep chromophores in your body or the superficial chromophores in your body or a combination thereof and give you dose-specific, frequency-specific light and infrared light to help drive cellular function,” Meglin said.

Meglin said red light can drive collagen production to reduce fine wrinkles and can drive hair growth. He said the treatment can also speed recovery, cause release of nitric oxide in the blood, increase calcium levels, relax blood vessels, lower blood pressure and decrease inflammation.

Comparison to at-home devices

Meglin said at-home red light pads, including ones purchased for around $300, do work but require frequent use because of their lower dose compared with the clinic’s equipment.

Meglin said patients who use at-home pads often tell him they cannot tell if the treatment is working. He said patients report feeling more relaxed after receiving treatment at the clinic.

“So red light is a phenomenal thing. It’s probably almost everybody’s favorite treatment because it’s fast and they feel great right after,” Meglin said.

Treatment options

Advanced regenerative therapy employees Shally Patel and Lysa Rodriguez demonstrated how the red light therapy works at the clinic.

The clinic offers red light therapy for weight loss, skin anti-aging, wound and injury healing, arthritis and joint pain, chronic pain and sports recovery, according to Patel and Rodriguez.

The clinic uses a machine called the light pod, described as a total body red light machine with settings for joint injuries, skin lesions, pre-surgical preparation, collagen production and body sculpting.